6 Spring Cleaning Maintenance Tips for Your Door Locks

Spring is an exciting time of the year, but it is also a time to get things done. Apart from spring cleaning, there are many other things you should do in order to make sure that your home is safe as the seasons change. These include door lock maintenance.

Following are 6 spring cleaning maintenance tips for your door locks:

1. Make Sure Your Door is Hung Properly
A door lock will only work correctly if the door itself is hung properly. A door that binds or the one that sags can put a lot of pressure on the lock’s latch or bolt, ultimately leading to the failure of the lock. On the other hand, if the door is hung properly, it will never bind. Apart from this, it is recommended that you make sure that the gap between the door and its frame is uniform throughout the door space.

2. Check the Strike Plates and Screws of Your Door
The best way to prevent the door from sagging is to buy and install long screws. This will also increase the door’s break-in resistance. Generally, three-inch screws are enough for each hinge. Another thing you should keep in mind is that the long screws should be positioned near the door wall’s center. It is also recommended that you check the strike plates of the door and make sure that the plate which is designed for the deadbolt is secured to the wall framing via long screws.

3. Make Sure Your Deadlatch and Deadbolt Work Properly
The deadlatch shouldn’t fall into the strike plate of the door. This is a very important security feature that is built into every modern door lock and it will not work properly if the door deadlatch and deadbolt are not installed or working properly. Even though not all deadbolts are created equally, a door deadbolt functions as the basic element of a home security.

4. Clean Your Door Locks
Don’t forget to clean your door locks during spring cleaning maintenance. To do this, you can use a mild detergent. Avoid using chemical or abrasive cleaners on your locks. Don’t use petroleum as it can also damage your door lock’s finish.

5. Lubricate Your Door Locks
This is another important maintenance factor that you should keep in mind during your spring cleaning. Locks get loaded with dirt after constant use. This can lead to the lock mechanism sticking problem as they don’t work smoothly. It is recommended that you use graphite lubricants as they work perfectly for door locks. You can use any other dry lubricant for this purpose, just make sure it is easy to apply.

6. Duplicate Keys from Your Original Keys
Keys generally tend to wear out long before the locks do. So, during your spring cleaning maintenance, it is recommended that you duplicate keys from your original door lock keys. This is an important step of door lock maintenance. You should also set aside the door lock’s original keys and use the duplicate ones in the future.

Dib’s Safe & Lock Service in San Bernardino is a locally-owned, family run business with over 90 years experience proudly offering lock, safe, and key, services to residential and business customers in San Bernardino County, Riverside, and the surrounding areas in Inland Empire. If you have questions changing door locks, or lock and key service of any type, give Dib’s a call today at (909) 885-0452.